Homes at mill site a step closer

Wednesday

Sep 13, 2006 at 11:25 PM

Gordon Jackson

ST. MARYS - A request to rezone the former site of Durango-Georgia Paper Co. was unanimously approved this week, paving the way for Jacksonville-based LandMar Group to close on the purchase of the 750-acre mill site and begin constructing an upscale residential community.

Prior to the vote, many people in the audience urged the St. Marys City Council to carefully examine LandMar's plans.

Tom Cyphers, a member of the St. Marys Neighborhood Association, told council members they had an "ominous responsibility" to make the correct decision because the development will affect the city for years to come.

"I feel like we've got a great developer," Cyphers said. "It's a tough one on you guys tonight."

Cyphers said city officials had the option of asking the bankruptcy court for a delay to close the deal if they still had concerns about the developer's plans. LandMar originally was scheduled to close on the $40 million purchase of the mill property in April but asked for an extension until October because it said it needed additional time to submit a plan for environmental cleanup.

Roger Rillo, a city resident, said he was concerned about the development's density and the impact thousands of new residents could have on the city's infrastructure and traffic.

"This could get way out of hand," Rillo said. "Look what they are asking for."

LandMar officials have said that once construction is completed, the project could have up to 2,100 residential units. A 100-room hotel also is planned.

City Councilman Gary Blount, however, said the city has plenty of time to prepare for the growth that the new development could bring.

"As far as infrastructure issues, we're not ignoring them," Blount said. "This isn't a one-year project. It's a 12-year project. They still have many processes to go through that the city will have a say about."

Charlotte Bartzak, a St. Marys Planning Commission member, said it would be a mistake for the city to delay the rezoning request because LandMar could back out of the agreement to purchase the property.

"This plan is wonderful," she said. "They're not asking a lot."

Prior to the vote, city officials asked for clarification about some of LandMar's plans.

The rezoning request, said city attorney Gary Bacon, "needs to be as crystal clear as you can have it."

One issue that concerned city officials was language in the request to build structures in the development's commercial district as tall as four stories, or 45 feet high.

Charles Ezelle, an engineer at the site, told city officials the structures would be no higher than 45 feet.

Mayor Rowland Eskridge asked for a change in the wording of the rezoning application that said LandMar "may" pay for a traffic light, if a traffic study indicates one will be necessary.

"It's a good project, don't get me wrong," Eskridge said. "We need a specific on what's being done. Once you approve it, it's approved."

Ezelle said the reason for the ambiguous language is because it's unclear whether the state Department of Transportation will require a traffic light near the development until a study is completed. He agreed to change wording in the application so that if a traffic light is needed, LandMar "will" pay for it.

Councilman Bill Deloughy asked for more details about LandMar's plans to construct a marina at the site. Ezelle said tentative plans include public dock facilities, dry-stack boat storage, launching facilities and office space. But the marina has to be approved by state regulators before the size can be determined.